Fluid transfer apparatus



Dec. 17, 1963 J. D. HARPER FLUID TRANSFER APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 31, 1961 INVT bRI A? //mpe;

Dec. 17, 1963 J. D. HARPER FLUID TRANSFER APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed July 51, 1961 Dec. 17, 1963 J. D. HARPER FLUID TRANSFER APPARATUS3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 31, 1961 w w WW4; wV r/m 2% z M UnitedStates Patent 3,114,392 FLUID TSFER APPARATUS John D. Harper, Bartlett,llL, assiguor to Powered Pipe, Incorporated, Oak Park, ilk, acorporation of Illinois Filed July 31, 1961, Ser. No. 123,231 4 Claims.(ill. 137-615) The invention relates to apparatus for transferringliquids or other fluid materials from one terminal point to another suchas between tanks or containers, at least one of which is movablerelative to the other.

Apparatus of the above general character may be used for transferringfluid material to and from mobile tanks such as railroad cars or trucks,between shore installations and ships or between ships. The terms fluidas used herein are intended to embrace not only liquids and gases butother materials in a state which permits them to flow, such as finelypulverized solids.

In the transfer of fluid mate-rial to and from cars and trucks, the mainproblem is in positioning the apparatus for establishing an initialconnection with the mobile tank. In the case of ships, however, anadditional problem is presented by the likelihood of movement of theship during the loading or unloading operation. The present inventionprovides apparatus suitable for any of the above uses and is especiallyadvantageous for transferring liquid or fluid materials to or from orbetween ships or other floatingly supported tanks.

One object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above generalcharacter in the form of a conduit assembly which is self-supported inthe sense that it re quires no supporting boom or other auxiliarysupporting structure, which is quickly and easily manipulable toestablish connection with variably positioned tanks or terminal pointsto or from which fluid is to be transferred, and which has a degree offlexibility allowing it to conform readily to changes in the position ofthe tank or terminal to which it is connected.

Another object is to provide fluid transfer apparatus including conduitmeans adapted to have one end connected more or less permanently with. atank or fluid terminal and embodying suificient flexibility so that theother end may be manipulated into position for connection with variablypositioned mobile tanks and characterized by the construction of theflexible parts to incorporate a degree of rigidity enabling the conduitmeans to function as a self-supporting boom without the auxiliarysupporting structure while yielding readily to movements of the mobiletank to which it is connected.

It is also an object of the invention to provide novel fluid operatedmeans for manipulating 1a flexible fluid transfer conduit assembly intoposition to establish connection with a mobile tank or the like andembodying means permitting the conduit assembly to automatically conformto changes in the position of the tank to which it is conneced.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of fluid transfer apparatus embodying thefeatures of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus shown in the precedingfigures with the component elements of the conduit assembly folded backinto retracted position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentaryview showing the details of one of thejoints by which the conduit sections of the assembly are connected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the hydraulic operating and control circuits ofthe apparatus.

3,114,392- Patented Dec. 17, 1963 While a single preferred embodiment ofthe invention has been shown and will be described in detail herein, itis not intended to limit the invention to the particular form or useshown, the intention being to cover all modifications and adaptationsfalling within the spirit and scope of the invention as more broadly orgenerally characterized in the appended claims. 7

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown in the formof apparatus particularly suitable for the transfer of fluid betweenship and shore, although it will be appreciated that this is only one ofa large number of fluid transfer operations for which it can be used toadvantage. The particular apparatus shown includes a base 10 orgenerally rectangular form adapted to be rigidly secured as by anchorbolts 11 to a dock, pier or other structure adjacent which a ship orother tank carrying vessel may be moored. Secured to the base 10' in ahorizontal position is a first conduit section 12 having an elongatedstraight portion 13 and an elbow portion 14- turned at right angles tothe straight portion. As shown, the conduit section 12 is secured to thebase as by straps 15 with the straight portion projecting at the rearfor attachment to a pipe, tank or other terminal to or from which fluidis to be transferred. Straight portion 13 of the conduit sectionterminates in a flange 16 for effecting the connection with theterminal.

Articulated to the end of the elbow portion 14 of the first conduitsection 12 by a swivel joint 19 is a second conduit section 20 in theform of an elbow presenting right angularly disposed straight portions21 and 22. Joint 1?, the construction of which will be described indetail hereinafter, is designed to permit the second conduit section tobe rotated relative to the first section 12 about an axis coincidentwith the central axis of the straight portion 21 of the second section.In the embodiment shown, the second section 20 is adapted to be rotatedanticlockwise from the position in which it is shown in FIG. 2 with thestraight portion 22 substantially upright to a position in which thestraight portion is substantially horizontal.

Articulated to the straight portion 22 of the second con duit section 20as by a joint 24 is a third conduit section 25, herein shown ascomprising a elbow. Preferably, the joint 24 permits the third conduitsection to be rotated through an angle of at least about an axiscoincident with the central axis of the straight portion 22 of conduitsection 20. Section 25, in turn, is articulated by a joint 29 with afourth conduit section 30. As shown, the fourth conduit sectioncomprises a relatively long straight portion 31 terminating in the endremote from the joint in a 90 elbow portion 32. The joint 29 preferablypermits rotation of the section 39 through approximately 360 whereby theelbow portion 32 may be'presented in any desired radial direction withrespect to the straight portion of the conduit.

A fifth conduit section 35 having a straight portion 36 and an elbowsection 37 is articulated to the fourth conduit section by a joint 38.Preferably, the straight conduit portion 36 is somewhat shorter than thestraight portion 31 to permit the fifth conduit section to be foldedback adjacent the fourth section as shown in FIG. 3. As will be seen byreference to FIG. 2, the joint 38 connects the two elbow portions of theconduit sections for relative rotation so that the fifth section may beextended from the folded condition to form a relatively long outwardlyreaching boom as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Conduit section 35 is articulated by a joint 39 to a sixth conduitsection 4-0 in the form of a 90 elbow.

Elbow secion 49 in turn is articulated by a joint 44 to a series. ValvesV2 and V3 are similarly connected, the latter having its exhaustconnected to the inlet ports of valves V4. The exhaust port of thelatter valve is connected to a drain 103 leading to the reservoir R. Byreason of this series connection, operation of any one valve cuts offpressure fluid supply for the succeeding valve of the series.

Valve V1 is connected by conduits 104 and 105 with opposite ends ofactuator cylinder 65. A double check valve CV1 and flow regulatingvalves FV1 are interposed in the above connections. The flow control andcheck valves may be of any conventional type, the check valve beingoperative to prevent flow of fluid from the cylinder with the valve V1closed while the ball checks are pilot operated to open position throughcontrol passages P to permit fluid to be exhausted from either end ofthe cylinder when the valve V1 is opened to direct fluid flow to theother end of the cylinder.

The conduit connections 104 and 105, which may include sections offlexible tubing or hose, lead to the associated control valve V1 which,with the companion valves, is located at a central control station. Itwill be apparent that by appropriate positioning of the valves V1, fluidmay be directed to the actuator 65 to move the piston 63 in eitherdirection to rotate the conduit section 20 about the swivel joint 19 orto lock fluid in the cylinder and thus positively restrain the pistonagainst movement. Piston movements are transmitted to the conduitsection 29 to raise or lower the conduit assembly as previouslyexplained.

In a similar manner valve V2 is connected to opposite ends of actuatorcylinder 75 by conduits 107 and 108 in which are interposed a doublecheck valve CV2 and flow regulating valves VFZ. The valve V2 has amanual operator 109 by which it may be shifted between its operated andneutral positions. Valve V3 is similarly connected by conduits 110 and111 with opposite ends of the actuator cylinder 85. A double check valveCV3 and flow control valves FV3 are interposed in the circuitconnections as above explained. Valve V3 is provided with a manualoperator 112 by which it may be shifted between the neutral and twooperated positions.

Since actuator 63 is composed of two one-way rams, the connectionsbetween the cylinders 95 and the valve V4 differ somewhat from thoseabove described. In this case, the valve V4, which has a manual operator113, is connected by conduits 114 and 115 to the rod ends of therespective cylinders. The conduit connections include double check valveCV4 and flow control valves FV4. The various conduit connections alsoinclude needle valves NV for regulating fluid flow.

In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, novelmeans is incorporated in the hydraulic system which permits the pistonsof the several actuators to move in either direction responsive to theapplication of a predetermined external force to the conduit assembly.More particularly, the conduit sections may be shifted relative to oneanother by an external force while the associated control valve remainsclosed. This enables the conduit assembly to adjust automatically tochanges in the position of the tank or other terminal to which its freeend is connected. By way of example, the conduit assembly when connectedfor transfer of fluid between ship and shore installations is enabled toautomatically follow movements of the ship as it rises or falls, movesforwardly or rearwardly or toward or away from the dock to which it ismoored.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the valvesV1-V4 when in their central or neutral positions effectively close bothconduits leading to their associated actuator cylinders. The checkvalves CV1, CV2, CV3 and CV4 also act to prevent pressure fluid fromentering or leaving the actuator cylinders. The conduit sections towhich the actuators are connected are therefore positively retained inthe positions to which they were adjusted prior to closure of thecontrol valves.

To permit compensating movements of conduit sections in the event ofmovement of the terminal or tank to which the assembly is connected, thehydraulic circuit for each of the actuators is equipped with a pair ofpressure relief valves connected so as to permit fluid flow from oneside of the actuator to the other upon a predetermined pressure rise. Inthe case of the actuator 60, relief valves RV1 and RVZ are connectedbetween the conduits 104 and 105 leading to opposite ends of cylinder65. The relief valves are connected so that valve RV1 opens upon apredetermined pressure increase at the non-rod end of the cylinder whilevalve RV2 opens upon a predetermined pressure rise at the rod end of thecylinder. The valves may be set to open at any suitable pressure abovethat required for the operation of the actuator as, for example, at 1500p.s.i. The piston 68 is thus permitted to move in the direction dictatedby the external force imposed on the conduit sections when that force issuficient to raise the pressure in the cylinder above 1500 p.s.i. Thefluid forced out of the cylinder ahead of the piston then flows outthrough the relief valve to the end of the cylinder behind the piston.

To take care of the difference in the volumetric capacity of thecylinder ends, a make-up valve MV and an auxiliary relief valve RV3 areconnected between the conduit 1114 and the sump R. Valve MV may be aconventional check valve positioned to permit free fluid flow to thecylinder While blocking flow from the cylinder. Valve RV3 may be aconventional pressure relief valve and in practice it is set to open ata pressure somewhat above that for which the valves RV1 and RV2 are set.luid from the non-rod end of the cylinder in excess of that required tofill the other cylinder end is thus returned to the sump. Make-up fluidsuficient to compensate for the lower capacity of the rod end of thecylinder is supplied to the non-rod end of the cylinder through thecheck valve when the piston moves outwardly of the cylinder.

Actuators 61, 62 and 63 are similarly equipped with double reliefvalves. Thus, relief valves RV4 and RV5 are bridge across conduits 1G7and 108 leading to the cylinder 75. Relief valves RV6 and RV7 aresimilarly bridge across conduits 110 and 111 leading to the cylinder 85;and relief valves RV8 and RV? are bridged across conduits 114 and 115leading to the cylinders 95. As the opposite ends of cylinders 75 and 85and the ends of one-way ram cylinders 95 are of equal volumetriccapacity, no make-up and auxiliary relief valves are required for thoseactuator cylinders.

The operation of the improved liquid transfer apparatus will be readilyapparent from the foregoing detailed description. By reason of the novelconstruction of the joints by which the several conduit sections arearticulated, the conduit assembly is self-supporting in any position. Noboom or other auxiliary supporting structure is required. The relativemovability of the conduit sections, coupled with their shaping, that is,the inclusion of the right angle bend in each section, permits the freeend to be positioned for connection with a terminal located anywherewithin reach of the assembly.

Manipulation of the conduit assembly for positioning purposes iseffected quickly and easily by power operated means controlled bysimple, manually settable valves located at a convenient central controlstation. Thus, by appropriate setting of the valve V1, actuator 60 maybe operated to raise or lower the assembly of conduit sections betweenthe folded back or retracted position and the extended position. ValveV2 affords convenient control of the actuator 61 to swing the assemblywhile valve V3 controls rotation of the long conduit section 30.Finally, valve V4 provides for the control of actuator 63 to either foldthe conduit section 35 in jackknife fashion alongside the section 3% orto extend it as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The four different axes of rotation of the conduit sections provided bythe construction shown and the power openated actuating mechanism enablethe free end of the conduit assembly to be positioned by power forconnection with a terminal coupling located substantially anywherewithin the reach of the assembly. When the conduit sections are sopositioned, they are effectively locked in place by closure of thecontrol valves. It is to be particularly noted that the actuators incooperation with the reinforced joints provided by the conduit sectionsmakes the assembly self-supported in the sense that no externalsupporting structure such as booms or the like is required. At the sametime, the bypass means provided by the relief valves bridged across theactuators permits the conduit sections to move under the influence of anexternally applied force even though the actuators remain closed offfrom the fluid supply portion of the hydraulic system.

The assembly may thus automatically follow movements of the terminal ortank to which its free end is connected. For example, when connected toa ship-carried tank, the assembly may adjust automatically to rise andfall of the ship or to movements fore-and-aft or toward and from thedock to which the ship is moored. The assembly thus maintains a leakfreetransfer passage by which fluid materials may be transferred in eitherdirection elllciently and expeditiously.

I claim as my invention:

1. A conduit assembly for transferring fluid between two relativelymovable terminals comprising, in combination, a series of tubularconduit sections each including a right angle bend, swivel jointsconnecting the conduits in series relation permitting relative rotationbetween adjaccnt conduit sections, means restraining adjacent conduitsections against relative angular movements including radially extendingflanges formed on the conduit sections at opposite sides of the joint, acylindrical collar encircling said flanges rigidly secured to one ofsaid flanges and defining a bearing for the other flange whereby thejoined conduit sections are supported for relative rotation, a poweroperated actuator mounted on the section having said other flange, meansconnecting said actuator with said collar whereby the latter may berotated by the actuator, and means connected to said actuator permittingrotation of said collar independently of the actuator upon applicationof a predetermined external force to the conduit assembly.

2. A conduit assembly for transferring fluid between two relativelymovable terminals comprising, in combination, a series of tubularconduit sections each including a right angle bend, swivel jointsconnecting the conduits in series relation permitting relative rotationbetween adjacent conduit sections, means restraining adjacent conduitsections against relative angular movements including radially extendingflanges formed on the conduit sections at opposite sides of the joint, acylindrical collar encircling said flanges rigidly secured to one ofsaid flanges and defining a bearing for the other flange whereby thejoined conduit sections are supported for relative rotation, a cylindermounted on the conduit section having said other flange with its axisdisposed transverse to the swivel joint connecting that section with theadjacent section, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, meansoperatively connecting said piston with said collar for transmittingmovements of the piston to the collar, and valve means connected to saidcylinder operative to establish communication with opposite ends of thecylinder to permit movement of the piston by an external force appliedthrough said collar.

-3. A conduit assembly for transferring fluid between two relativelymovable terminals comprising, in combination, a series of tubularconduit sections each including a right angle bend, swivel jointsconnecting the conduits in series relation permitting relative rotationbetween adjacent conduit sections, means restraining adjacent conduitsections against relative angular movements including radially extcndingflanges formed on the conduit sections at opposite sides of the joint, acylindrical collar encircling said flanges rigidly secured to one ofsaid flanges and defining a bearing for the other flange v/hereoy thejoined conduit sections are supported for re ative rotation, a cylindermounted on the conduit section having said other flange with its axisdisposed transverse to the swivel joint connecting that section with theadjacent section, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, piston rodsext nding from said piston to project through opposite ends of thecylinder, a cable having opposite ends inclined relative to thecylinder, said cable passing over sheaves on the projecting ends of saidpiston rods and having its intermediate portion wrapped around saidcollar whereby movements of the piston are imparted to the collar, andvalve means defining a bypass connection between the ends of saidcylinder permitting movement of the piston independently of saidactuator upon application of a predetermined external force to saidcollar.

4. In apparatus for transferring fluid between two relatively movableterminals, including an articulated conduit formed by a plurality oftubular conduit sections with joints connecting the sections in seriesrelationship and for relative pivotal motion, means stationarilysupporting a conduit section adjacent one end of the series with theconduit sec'ion at the other end of the series being free to move bothhorizontally and vertically, one of said joints adjacent one end of theseries providing relative motion about a vertical axis of the conduitsections joined thereby so as to vary the relative horizontal positionof a coupling on the conduit section at the free end of said series, andmeans including a pivotal joint between a pair of sections of saidarticulated conduit providing for relative movement thereof about ahorizontal axis, the improvement comprising, power operated meanscarried by said articulated conduit adjacent said pivotal joint formoving the joined conduit sections relatively about said horizontal axisto position the coupling on the conduit section at the free end of theseries in a vertical direction, said power operated means including ahydraulic cylinder carried by one section of said pair, a plunger insaid cylinder operably connected to the other section of said pair, andcontrol means for operating said plunger in said cylinder, the remainingconduit sections being relatively movable independently of said poweroperated means to position the coupling on the section at the free endof the series for connection with variably positioned terminals, saidpower operated means being normally cTective to restrain said sectionsof said pair against relative movement from the positions to which theyhave been power positioned, and relief valve means incorporated in saidcontrol means permitting relative motion of the plunger and cylinderupon application of a predetermined external force to said pair ofconduit sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

4. IN APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING FLUID BETWEEN TWO RELATIVELY MOVABLETERMINALS, INCLUDING AN ARTICULATED CONDUIT FORMED BY A PLURALITY OFTUBULAR CONDUIT SECTIONS WITH JOINTS CONNECTING THE SECTIONS IN SERIESRELATIONSHIP AND FOR RELATIVE PIVOTAL MOTION, MEANS STATIONARILYSUPPORTING A CONDUIT SECTION ADJACENT ONE END OF THE SERIES WITH THECONDUIT SECTION AT THE OTHER END OF THE SERIES BEING FREE TO MOVE BOTHHORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY, ONE OF SAID JOINTS ADJACENT ONE END OF THESERIES PROVIDING RELATIVE MOTION ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS OF THE CONDUITSECTIONS JOINED THEREBY SO AS TO VARY THE RELATIVE HORIZONTAL POSITIONOF A COUPLING ON THE CONDUIT SECTION AT THE FREE END OF SAID SERIES, ANDMEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTAL JOINT BETWEEN A PAIR OF SECTIONS OF SAIDARTICULATED CONDUIT PROVIDING FOR RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREOF ABOUT AHORIZONTAL AXIS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING, POWER OPERATED MEANSCARRIED BY SAID ARTICULATED CONDUIT ADJACENT SAID PIVOTAL JOINT FORMOVING THE JOINED CONDUIT SECTIONS RELATIVELY ABOUT SAID HORIZONTAL AXISTO POSITION THE COUPLING ON THE CONDUIT SECTION AT THE FREE END OF THESERIES IN A VERTICAL DIRECTION, SAID POWER OPERATED MEANS INCLUDING AHYDRAU-